Diapered Dandy And The Freedom Phalanx Reserve (Complete)

<center>Part II: The March Of War

Chapter VI: Shadows Of The Past</center>

Diapered Dandy opened her eyes slowly and saw the sky gray with the billowing smoke from the recently exploded cabin. She groaned as she got to her feet slowly and looked around for Arson. “Brianna!” she called out, getting no response.

The sun had started to set, and the forest surrounding the cabin was no doubt full of many threats that two weakened heroes would be in no shape to face. Jesseca continued her search for Arson, and finally found her laying face down in a clearing several yards from the cabin.

“Brianna!” Jesseca shouted as she ran to the downed woman. Jesseca quickly rolled her over and saw that apart from several cuts and bruises she appeared to be unharmed.

Arson opened her eyes and looked up at Jesseca, a smile spreading across her face.

“Glad you’re having a good time.” Jesseca said with a smile of her own.

Arson sat up and watched Jesseca intently as she got up herself. “What happened?” she asked.

“The cabin blew up, I just hope Numina wasn’t in there.” Jesseca said.

“Who?” Arson asked.

Jesseca stared at Arson for a moment. “Numina, the hero we were sent out here to rescue.” she said.

“Oh, ok then.” Arson said with a confused look on her face.

“You do know who we are don’t you?” Jesseca asked, getting very worried about her teammate.

Arson nodded and smiled. “I’m Brianna Cobb, and you’re my sister Lindsey.” she said.

Jesseca looked into Arson’s eyes for a sign that she was joking but found none. “Your sister?” she asked.

The raven haired fire controller smiled at Jesseca. “We should get back home before mommy gets worried about us.” Arson said as she got to her feet.

“How old are you Brianna?” Jesseca asked her teammate.

“I’m this many!” Brianna said excitedly as she held up five fingers.

“Great.” Jesseca thought to herself. “Brianna can you try and fly for me?” Jesseca asked her child minded teammate.

Arson looked at her quizzically for a moment and then giggled. “You’re silly sister, I can’t fly!” she said.

“Perfect.” Jesseca said, taking Arson’s hand she flew into the air startling the girl who clung tightly to the woman she believed to be her sister whimpering in fear that she would fall. Jesseca took them back to the base, hoping that Arson would snap out of her condition quickly.

<center>****************</center>

Severe and Fantasy looked up at The Abyss Towers, the large skyscraper owned and operated in secret by Malta. The pair watched a flood of workers pour from the entrance of the building after Fantasy had made them think the building was full of snakes and spiders, her power amplified by Severe so that she could affect all the non Malta people in the building.

“Like taking candy from a baby.” Fantasy said with a smile.

“We should not be so quick to claim victory.” Severe said.

“Arson was right, you’re a wet blanket.” Miranda said with a frown.

“I am practical, a trait which would serve the both of you well.” Severe said.

“Whatever, let’s do this thing if we’re gonna do it.” Fantasy said as she headed for the entrance of the building, pushing through the crowd.

Severe sighed and followed her teammate into the great glass structure, her practicality screaming at her that something was not right about the situation inside.

The fire alarm was ringing inside the building as they entered, triggered by one of the panicked workers. Severe and Fantasy made their way to the elevators and up to the top floor of the building where their information led them to believe that Manticore was being held.

“Not a lot of action so far.” Fantasy said.

Severe nodded. “I fear that we may be getting more than we bargained for.” she said.

Fantasy shrugged. “I say bring on the straight fight, I’m kinda bored with this straight path of no resistance.” she said.

The elevator stopped at their floor and the doors opened revealing a large laboratory and a man standing in the center of it. The man was dressed similar to a cowboy and smiled widely when the two heroes entered the room.

“Welcome ladies!” the man said cheerfully. “My name is Sigma Black and you’re gonna love me.” he said.

“Somehow I doubt that.” Fantasy said with a scoff.

“No, I’m serious.” he said. “I know Severe will anyway.” he added with a smile.

“And why is that?” Severe asked.

“Glad you asked little lady.” he said as he stepped over to a nearby console and picked up a CD and put it into the machine. A large monitor came on after a moment and started playing a video of a lab technician and a little girl.

“Experiment number 47521.” the scientist in the video said to the camera. “Subjects name is Olivia Chambers, age twelve.” the man said.

Severe looked at the little girl intently, she was an Albino like her. Severe felt her stomach begin to churn when the realization that she was watching a video of herself being experimented on as a child set in. Here in the most unlikely of places she was finally getting the information that she had sought her whole life.

“Subject has been treated with gene therapy that has granted her mental abilities in the form of Telekinesis and Telepathy.” the doctor explained. “Tests on the subject are to determine proficiency in combat situations.” he added.

Severe and Fantasy watched in horror as several soldiers armed with riot batons entered the room where the little girl was being detained and began attacking her. The girl screamed and put her arms up in defense. Several blows landed on her and brought her to her knees. Then the girl stopped screaming and looked up at the soldiers as she began to float upward into the air. The soldiers backed away from the young girl and attempted to get out their guns. The guns were pulled from their hands by the girl’s powers and aimed at them, seconds later the guns went off and the soldiers were dead or dying.

“Test successful.” the doctor said, ending the video.

Severe felt a tear roll down her cheek as her emotions began to build inside of her. “Why?” she asked Sigma Black quietly.

“You were a latchkey kid, easy to pick up off the street and use for testing.” he said. “Turned out quite well except for the whole “hero” bit.” he said.

“And my family?” she asked, her powers building along with her emotions.

“Dead I’m afraid.” Sigma Black told her. “You shouldn’t be mad, you should be thanking us.” he added.

Severe plucked the man from where he stood with her powers and mentally threw him through the window behind him, sending him plummeting to the Earth below. “Thank you.” she said.

“Severe, I’m sorry for what they did to you, but this isn’t the way to handle this.” Fantasy said.

Severe chuckled. “A minute ago you were aching for a fight.” she said.

Fantasy nodded. “Yeah, but you look like you’re ready for a lot worse than a fight.” she said.

“You’re right, I’m ready for a massacre.” Severe said with a smile as she floated over to the elevator and tore it from the wall and flung it across the room and entered the now empty shaft.

<center>****************</center>

“She thinks she’s five and that I’m her sister.” Jesseca explained to Dementia’s Knight as he began his examination of Arson.

Knight shone a light in the young hero’s eyes and had her follow a pen with her eyes. “She seems fine other than that.” he said. “I’ll give her a CAT Scan and see what we can find.” he said.

Jesseca nodded and sat next to Arson on the exam table. “You doin’ ok kiddo?” she asked.

Arson had taken to sucking her thumb and twirling her hair with her finger but nodded slowly. “Who are these people?” she asked after removing her thumb from her mouth.

“They’re friends, they’re gonna help you to get better.” Jesseca explained.

Arson nodded again. “How come you can fly sister?” she asked.

“I have super powers.” Jesseca said.

“Neat!” Brianna said with a wide grin.

“You have them too.” Jesseca explained. “You can control fire and fly.” she said.

“Really?!” Brianna asked with wide eyes.

Jesseca smiled. “Yeah, and as soon as you get better you’ll remember how to use them.” she said.

“What’s wrong with me?” Brianna asked with a slight pout at the implication that she was somehow flawed.

“Aww, don’t be sad honey, nothing is wrong with you. You just don’t remember how to use your powers is all. These nice people are gonna help you.” Jesseca said.

Brianna nodded and put her thumb back into her mouth. Jesseca smiled at her and started stroking her hair to put her at ease.

<center>**************</center>

Severe floated down to the lobby through the elevator shaft and pulled the doors off with her powers. The several dozen soldiers in the lobby opened fire immediately on her, their bullets bouncing off the metal doors that Severe was using as a shield.

Using her powers, Severe grabbed the elevator she’d discarded on the top floor and brought it crashing through the dozens of floors above and down onto a group of soldiers crushing them to death.

“Fall back men!” the commanding officer shouted to his men.

“I think not.” Severe said.

The elevator began to swing around the lobby by it’s cables, the many soldiers flew in many directions as the swinging elevator struck them with great force. As a few soldiers made it away from the elevator they were sliced in half and worse by the elevator doors that Severe had sent flying around the lobby to finish her foes off. Her attacks stopped as the last soldier fell in separate areas of the lobby.

“Now to finish this.” Severe thought as she floated out of the elevator shaft and toward the entrance of the building.

Fantasy landed in the lobby and almost threw up when she saw the maimed bodies of the soldiers courtesy of Severe.

“My God, I have to stop her.” she thought to herself as she followed behind her deranged teammate.

To Be Continued…

<center>Part II: The March Of War

Chapter VII: The End Of The War</center>

Severe flew high above the city, her mind scanning the people below for information about where the Malta main base of operations was. She knew that there were easier ways to find the location, but she hoped that this way would allow her the satisfaction of a surprise attack.

“Severe, please slow down so I can talk to you.” came Fantasy inside her head.

“Leave me to my mission.” Severe told the young woman.

“This isn’t your mission! Our mission was to rescue Manticore, and we haven’t done that.” Fantasy said.

“Manticore was not there, I did not sense his presence in that building.” Severe said.

“Please, if anyone can hear me, this is Thomas Kinson, I’m a hero like you and I am being detained by Malta.” a man’s voice said inside Severe’s head.

“Keyword?” she asked the man.

“Yes! Who are you?” the man asked.

“I am Severe, I am with the Freedom Phalanx Reserve.” she explained. “I have to say, I’m very confused, we rescued you yesterday from another Malta facility.” she added.

“No, that was an imposter put in place to sabotage your team.” the man told her. “Is everyone on your team alright?” he asked.

“I don’t know, we all split up into teams of two to rescue members of the Freedom Phalanx.” she said.

“Follow my thoughts, come rescue me and we can put Malta down together.” the man said.

Severe honed in on the man’s thoughts and followed them deeper into the heart of the city. Fantasy followed behind her teammate, unaware of the recent developments.

Jesseca sat next to Brianna as she rested after her tests, all of which found nothing wrong with her. Jesseca watched her teammate sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed, her thumb again firmly locked into her mouth. Smiling, Jesseca stroked her friends hair softly and almost instinctively kissed her on the forehead. “I’m here for you Brianna.” she whispered quietly to the sleeping girl.

“She doing ok?” Sue asked form the doorway.

Jesseca turned and nodded. “How’s ‘Lysa doing?” she asked.

Hannah nodded. “Knight’s hopeful that she’ll wake up soon. He said the surgery went well and she’s pretty much out of the woods.” she explained.

“How are you holding up?” the two asked eachother in unison. With a smile they both agreed that they were ok, just worried about their teammates.

Hannah came over to the bedside and hugged Jesseca. “I’m glad you’re ok Jess.” she said.

Jesseca returned her embrace with a smile. “Same for you.” she said.

“Attention team, Sue is awake if you want to visit her.” Knight said over the P.A. system of the base.

Jesseca and Hannah left Brianna and went to Sue’s room.

“Hi guys.” Sue said weakly as Jesseca and Hannah entered the room, and joined Ataris, Knight, Hanako, and Samantha around Sue’s bed.

“Do you remember what happened?” Knight asked.

“Some Malta cowboy attacked us with a giant robot and I went Super Nova and destroyed it.” Sue explained.

“What’s Super Nova?” Hanako asked.

“It’s a move I’ve been working on, this was the first time I used it for real. Basically it’s a huge blast of my power that uses my whole body as a conductor for the energy.” she said. “Is everyone else ok?” she asked.

“Darius is still in a coma, Elysa is out of surgery and should make a full recovery, something happened to Brianna and she thinks she’s five years old again and that Jesseca is her sister, and Severe and Fantasy have yet to check in.” Knight said.

“Why did this happen?” Sue asked.

“Keyword was an imposter, he set us up.” Ataris told her.

“I’d like to get my hands on him.” Sue said.

“He’s already dead.” Knight told her.

“That’s too bad, I would have enjoyed making him suffer for this.” Sue said.

“I think we should let you get some rest and be alone with Darius.” Knight said and ushered everyone out of the room. “Holler if you need anything Sue.” he said on his way out.

Sue waited for everyone to leave the room before she got out of bed and went to Darius’ bed. “Please be ok.” she whispered into his ear as she hugged him.

<center>***************</center>

Severe hovered outside the building where the real Keyword was being held, Fantasy had caught up to her and was hovering next to her.

“I think we should get the others to come and help us.” Fantasy said.

“We don’t even know if they’re still alive.” Severe told her.

“I just think we might be getting in over our heads with this one.” Fantasy said.

“Then stay here.” Severe said and flew at the building, using her powers to blast a hole in the front of the structure several stories up and entering.

Fantasy sighed and followed her teammate, afraid of what was going to happen when there was no more blood for her to spill.

Severe broke two soldiers in half as they attempted to bring her down when she entered the building. Then she turned several hundred bullets back onto the soldiers that had fired them when she came to a locked down area of the building, an area where she knew Keyword to be being held.

The door ripped from it’s frame and was sent flying through several walls before Severe entered the room. She saw a man laying on an examination table, tubes and needles protruding from him. “Keyword?” she asked with her mind.

“Severe, thank Atlas you’re here, please help me.” he said.

Severe gently pulled the tubes and needles from him with her powers and helped him off the table. “We’re going to get you out of here, but first I have to finish something.” Severe explained to the man.

<center>****************</center>

“Sir, Severe and Fantasy are in the building and they’ve freed Keyword.” the old man’s bodyguard said as he entered the room.

“Ready my helicopter, I think it’s time to get out of here. Begin the self destruct sequence for the building.” the old man said.

“Yes sir.” the old man’s bodyguard said, and left the room.

“Pity the experiment has to end this way.” the old man said.

<center>****************</center>

Severe headed up a now hollowed out elevator in her pursuit of the leader of Malta and her childhood tormenters. Entering the top floor of the building Severe was confronted by two large Titan robots. In a matter of seconds the two robots were overloaded and forced through the wall behind them revealing an office with an old man inside of it. “You!” Severe shouted.

The old man’s bodyguard went for his weapon and fell quickly as his skin was peeled from his body.

“That is just a taste of what you’re in for.” Severe threatened as she lifted the old man with her powers and brought him face to face with her.

“You’ve turned out so much better than I could have anticipated.” the old man said.

“Who are you really?” Severe asked the man.

“Dr. Xavier Malta, head of the Malta Group.” the man answered.

Fantasy came up through the elevator shaft with Keyword and turned away from the sight of the skinned bodyguard. “Severe, this is too much, you’ve become no better than them.” she said.

Severe turned to Fantasy and smiled. “I’m just tying up a few loose ends.” she said and looked back to Dr. Malta.

“What would your parents say if they saw you now?” Fantasy asked her, hoping that she would be able to talk her teammate down.

“My parents are dead, how dare you speak of them!” Severe shouted as she tossed Dr. Malta aside and pushed Fantasy back into a wall with her powers.

Fantasy gasped as she hit the wall and remained suspended in the air. “You only think they’re dead, but they aren’t, they’re here.” she said.

“Liar!” Severe hissed and put more force behind her attack, taking most of Fantasy’s breath away.

“It’s true, look behind you.” Fantasy managed to choke out. Using her powers, she created a fantasy for Severe of her parents coming to see her after so many years.